The Vicegerent of the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra held a meeting in his residence with young people who make their pilgrimage to the shrines of Kiev. The pilgrim group led by the head of the Youth Department of the Volyn eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, hieromonk Ilya (Vishnevskiy).

Greeting the guests, Metropolitan Pavel called upon the youth “…to be united more than ever in these difficult times for our state and for our canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. I would like to thank you all for the work that you undertake during the pilgrimage, and despite the young years, you all understand where the true Church is and remain faithful regardless all the temptations and allurement that the world offers to us. May the Lord always strengthen you in faith, bestow soul and physical strength, so that all of you could work wholeheartedly for the glory of God in the future and for the good of His Holy Church!”

In response, father Ilya thanked Metropolitan Pavel for edifying, that “…in your tight schedule you found an opportunity and devoted time to us”, after which His Eminence Pavel and the guests exchanged memorable gifts.

At the end of the meeting the joint photo was taken.

For young pilgrims, the inhabitants of the Holy Caves Monastery arranged a tour over the Lavra, during which everyone could venerate the imperishable relics of the Caves’ saints who rest in the Near and Far Caves of the Monastery. Also, the pilgrims were offered a lunch at one of the Lavra refectories.

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